Agenda and minutes

To receive any declaration of interest from a Member or Officer regarding any item of business.

No declaration of interest was received.

To consider an application for dispensation.

An application was made by Councillor Llinos Medi Huws (Leader of the Council), requesting that the Standards Committee should consider granting dispensations in relation to prejudicial interests regarding the following:-

1.  The Schools Modernisation Programme in the Amlwch catchment area;

2.  Post-16 Education Provision in the County. 

The Monitoring Officer reported that a report will be taken to the Executive at the end of March 2019 with a view to beginning the process of a formal public statutory consultation on schools modernisation in the Amlwch area.  Llanfechell primary school, where Councillor Huws’ cousin is a pupil, is one of the schools under consideration in the consultation process. Any decision regarding the future of Llanfechell primary school will impact on the child making the personal interest a prejudicial one.

The Monitoring Officer referred to the Members’ Code of Conduct, and explained that Councillor Huws’ close relationship with the child and the child’s mother, creates a personal interest in the context of the project, and, under the Code. This in itself would require the Leader to declare her personal interest. Given the close relationship, however, and the potential of the decision to have a significant impact on the child, the interest is potentially prejudicial which means that the applicant would not be allowed to take part without obtaining a dispensation from the Standards Committee.

The Programme, Business, Planning and Performance Manager reported that the Schools Modernisation Strategy was adopted by the Executive in October, 2018.  The Strategy sets out the Authority’s direction for the process of modernising schools over the next decade.  The following three bands have been formulated for the Wales Programme for 21st Century Schools:-

Band A - projects which have been completed, or are nearing completion;

Band B - projects which are under way, or will be commencing soon;

Band C - longer term projects, which will be achieved over years to come.

The Programme, Business, Planning and Performance Manager reported that the Wales Programme for 21st Century Schools involves modernising schools by ensuring that new models of learning are put in place that will benefit the County’s children, both currently and for generations to come.  The long-term plan is one of the cornerstones of the Well-being and Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which the Council is delivering against.  It was noted that Councillor Huws is the Council’s spokesperson associated with the Act, and represents the Council in discussions with the WLGA.

Schools Modernisation Programme - Amlwch area

With regard to the engagement process to transform Anglesey’s schools, informal discussions have taken place recently with members of the public, parents, teachers etc. to gauge public opinion within communities in the Amlwch area; which includes Llanfechell School.  It was noted that the next stage of the process will involve a report to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee for consideration, followed by the Executive for approval, and a formal statutory consultation period of 6 weeks to consider the possible options.  Thereafter, the Scrutiny Committee will decide on its preferred options, and present  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.